Roman Emperor Propaganda Project
Roman Emperor Propaganda Project
Standards:
8.4.A - Analyze the significance of individuals and groups who made major political and cultural contributions to world history before 1500.
CC.8.5.6-8.G - Integration of Knowledge and Ideas ~ Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
Task: In ancient Rome it was common for temples and monuments to be built to honor past emperors. Create a product that shows why a specific emperor should be honored over others. The finished product should identify the actions/accomplishments of a significant Roman Emperor and clearly show bias either for or against the topic emperor. The finished product can take the form of a video, essay, screencast, podcast, or other teacher approved medium.
Step 1: Choose an emperor from among the list:
| Augustus | Tiberius | Caligula | Claudius | Nero | Flavian Emperors |
| Nerva | Trajan |
Hadrian |
Antonius Pius | Marcus Aurelius | Commodus |
Step 2: Research the chosen emperor. What did he do/accomplish during his reign? What personality attributes have been recorded? Can these actions and attributes be viewed in a positive or negative light?
Step 3: Determine the bias of your project. Will your product be for or against the emperor? The bias of the product should be clear to the audience.
Step 4: Identify at least two facts about the emperor that support the bias of the product. These facts can be accomplishments, negative actions, character traits, family history, etc.
Step 5: Make a direct comparison to another emperor. This comparison should show why the topic emperor is great or not. Research details about the other emperor so the comparison references at least one fact related to the other emperor.
Step 6: Develop the product.
If the product is a video, a script should be written for the video. The script should clearly show the bias either for or against the topic emperor and be school appropriate. The script should show a creative delivery of the main idea of the video. The total length of the video should be between 2 and 3 minutes.
If the product is an essay, develop an outline for the essay. The essay should have an introductory paragraph. This paragraph should identify the topic emperor, and indicate the bias of the essay. The introductory paragraph should also preview the main ideas of the following paragraphs. The second paragraph should identify one fact about the emperor that supports the bias of the essay. Use SEPEC format to explain how the fact supports the bias of the essay. The third paragraph should also identify one fact about the emperor that supports the bias of the essay. Use SEPEC format to explain how the fact supports the bias of the essay. The fourth paragraph should make a direct comparison to another emperor. This should include an action or detail relating to the other emperor. The points of comparison or contrast should be clearly stated. The fifth paragraph should be a conclusion. This paragraph should restate the bias of the essay and review the main ideas of the previous three body paragraphs. The essay should end with a global statement.
If the product is a screencast a slideshow and script should be developed. The slides should cover the major points from above. There should also be a title slide and credit slide. The title slide should identify the topic emperor. The credit slide should have the names and class sections of the students that worked on the screencast. Find graphics for the slide show. The graphics should clearly show the bias either for or against the topic emperor and be school appropriate. The graphics should show a creative delivery of the main idea of the screencast. The total length of the slide show should be between 5 and 10 slides. Create a script for the screencast. Write out what each member of the group is going to say on the recording. Once the script is written, rehearse it and make sure everyone knows their lines.
If the product is a podcast, a script should be written for the podcast. Write out what each member of the group is going to say on the recording. Once the script is written, rehearse it and make sure everyone knows their lines. The script should clearly show the bias either for or against the topic emperor and be school appropriate. The script should show a creative delivery of the main idea of the podcast. The total length of the podcast should be between 3 and 5 minutes.
Step 7: Create the product
The project will be scored using one of the following rubrics.
Video Rubric:
Main Ideas | 20 Points The video clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least two facts relating to the emperor. The video clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The video makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 15 Points The video clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The video clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The video makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 10 Points The video clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The video clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The video does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 5 Point The video clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The bias of the video is not clearly for or against the topic emperor. The video does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 0 Points The video does not identify the topic emperor, or at least one fact relating to the emperor. The video does not show bias for or against the topic emperor. The video does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. |
Accuracy | 8 Points The information presented is accurate and displays thorough research by the students. | 6 Points The information presented is accurate but lacks one, two, or three key details. | 4 Points The information presented is accurate. Several key details missing. | 2 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. | 0 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. |
Video | 8 Points The video is easy to follow and informative. There is a creative delivery of the information. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The video is between 1 – 3 minutes in length. | 6 Points The video is easy to follow and informative. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The video is between 1 – 3 minutes in length. | 4 Points One or two of the details are difficult to understand. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The video is between 1 – 3 minutes in length. | 2 Points More than one or two of the details are difficult to understand. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The video is between 1 – 3 minutes in length. | 0 Points The video does not cover topics related to the topic. Content of the video is not appropriate or informative. The video is outside of 1 – 3 minute range. |
Presentation | 10 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with confidence. Clear evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 7 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with some uncertainty. Some evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 5 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with some uncertainty. Some evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 3 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with much uncertainty. Little evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 0 Points Students were difficult to understand, were uncertain of ideas, or spoke inappropriately. |
Total Score: _______________
Essay Rubric
Main Ideas | 20 Points The essay clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least two facts relating to the emperor. The essay clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The essay makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 15 Points The essay clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The essay clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The essay makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 10 Points The essay clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The essay clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The essay does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 5 Point The essay clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The bias of the essay is not clearly for or against the topic emperor. The essay does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 0 Points The essay does not identify the topic emperor, or at least one fact relating to the emperor. The essay does not show bias for or against the topic emperor. The essay does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. |
Accuracy | 8 Points The information presented is accurate and displays thorough research by the students. | 6 Points The information presented is accurate but lacks one, two, or three key details. | 4 Points The information presented is accurate. Several key details missing. | 2 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. | 0 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. |
Essay | 8 Points The essay is easy to follow and informative. There is a creative delivery of the information. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 6 Points The essay is easy to follow and informative. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 4 Points One or two of the details are difficult to understand. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 2 Points More than two of the details are difficult to understand. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 0 Points The essay does not cover topics related to the topic. Content of the essay is not appropriate or informative. |
Mechanics | 10 Points Qualifies for a score of “4” on the PSSA GRADES 6–8 INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY SCORING GUIDELINES. (see back) | 7 Points Qualifies for a score of “3” on the PSSA GRADES 6–8 INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY SCORING GUIDELINES. (see back) . | 5 Points Qualifies for a score of “2” on the PSSA GRADES 6–8 INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY SCORING GUIDELINES. (see back) | 3 Points Qualifies for a score of “1” on the PSSA GRADES 6–8 INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY SCORING GUIDELINES. (see back) | 0 Points Qualifies for a score of “0” on the PSSA GRADES 6–8 NARRATIVE SCORING GUIDELINES. (see back) |
Total Score: _______________
Score | Description |
4 |
|
3 |
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
Screencast Rubric
Main Ideas | 20 Points The screencast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least two facts relating to the emperor. The screencast clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The screencast makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 15 Points The screencast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The screencast clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The screencast makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 10 Points The screencast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The screencast clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The screencast does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 5 Point The screencast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The bias of the screencast is not clearly for or against the topic emperor. The screencast does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 0 Points The screencast does not identify the topic emperor, or at least one fact relating to the emperor. The screencast does not show bias for or against the topic emperor. The screencast does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. |
Accuracy | 8 Points The information presented is accurate and displays thorough research by the students. | 6 Points The information presented is accurate but lacks one, two, or three key details. | 4 Points The information presented is accurate. Several key details missing. | 2 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. | 0 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. |
Screencast | 8 Points The screencast is easy to follow and informative. There are 5 – 10 slides. There is a creative delivery of the information. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 6 Points The screencast is easy to follow and informative. There are 5 – 10 slides. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 4 Points One or two of the details are difficult to understand. There are 5 – 10 slides. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 2 Points More than two of the details are difficult to understand. There are 5 – 10 slides. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. | 0 Points The screencast does not cover topics related to the topic. There are not 5 – 10 slides. Content of the screencast is not appropriate or informative. |
Mechanics | 10 Points No errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling usage on screencast. | 7 Points Some (1 – 5) errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling usage on screencast. | 5 Points Several (6 – 10) errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling usage on screencast. | 3 Points Many (11 – 15) errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling usage on screencast. | 0 Points More than 15 errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling usage on screencast. |
Total Score: _______________
Podcast Rubric
Main Ideas | 20 Points The podcast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least two facts relating to the emperor. The podcast clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The podcast makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 15 Points The podcast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The podcast clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The podcast makes a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 10 Points The podcast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The podcast clearly shows bias for or against the topic emperor. The podcast does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 5 Point The podcast clearly identifies the topic emperor, and at least one fact relating to the emperor. The bias of the podcast is not clearly for or against the topic emperor. The podcast does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. | 0 Points The podcast does not identify the topic emperor, or at least one fact relating to the emperor. The podcast does not show bias for or against the topic emperor. The podcast does not make a direct comparison between the topic emperor and another emperor. |
Accuracy | 8 Points The information presented is accurate and displays thorough research by the students. | 6 Points The information presented is accurate but lacks one, two, or three key details. | 4 Points The information presented is accurate. Several key details missing. | 2 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. | 0 Points The information presented lacks accuracy. Several key details missing. |
Podcast | 8 Points The podcast is easy to follow and informative. There is a creative delivery of the information. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The podcast is between 3 and 5 minutes in length. | 6 Points The podcast is easy to follow and informative. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The podcast is between 3 and 5 minutes in length. | 4 Points One or two of the details are difficult to understand. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The podcast is between 3 and 5 minutes in length. | 2 Points More than two of the details are difficult to understand. There is a lack of creativity in the delivery. All of the content is appropriate and informative. The podcast is between 3 and 5 minutes in length. | 0 Points The podcast does not cover topics related to the topic. Content of the podcast is not appropriate or informative. The podcast is not between 3 and 5 minutes in length. |
Mechanics | 10 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with confidence. Clear evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 7 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with some uncertainty. Some evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 5 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with some uncertainty. Some evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 3 Points Students spoke clearly and appropriately, with much uncertainty. Little evidence of planning and rehearsal. | 0 Points Students were difficult to understand, were uncertain of ideas, or spoke inappropriately. |
Total Score: _______________